Conversational Board Game

ABSTRACT

A conversational board game for assisting people in starting a meaningful conversation on topics such as culture, race, and ethnicity. The conversational board game generally includes a board with a plurality of spaces including a start space and an end space. A plurality of cards are provided; each of the cards having a score on its first side and a question on it second side. Using the board, cards, and one or more player pieces, a variety of games may be played which are adapted to elicit meaningful conversations among the players on topics such as race, quality, and cultures.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

I hereby claim benefit under Title 35, United States Code, Section 119(e) of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/915,064 filed Dec. 12, 2013. The 61/915,064 application is currently pending. The 61/915,064 application is hereby incorporated by reference into this application.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable to this application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a board game and more specifically it relates to a conversational board game for assisting people in starting a meaningful conversation on topics such as culture, race, and ethnicity.

2. Description of the Related Art

Any discussion of the related art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such related art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.

Party games have been used since the dawn of time when groups of individuals come together. Many games include discussion-starters, such as Cards Against Humanity, which includes cards with blank spaces to be filled in by words on other cards. While these types of games certainly can elicit conversations among individuals, they appear more directed toward humor than eliciting any real conversation about topics relevant to current times.

Because of the inherent problems with the related art, there is a need for a new and improved conversational board game for assisting people in starting a meaningful conversation on topics such as culture, race, and ethnicity.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention generally relates to a board game which includes a board with a plurality of spaces including a start space and an end space. A plurality of cards are provided; each of the cards having a score on its first side and a question on it second side. Using the board, cards, and one or more player pieces, a variety of games may be played which are adapted to elicit meaningful conversations among the players on topics such as race, quality, and cultures.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, some of the features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and that will form the subject matter o f the claims appended hereto. In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction or to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a top view of a card with a first score.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of a card with a first question.

FIG. 5 is a top view of a card with a second score.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of a card with a second question.

FIG. 7 is a top view of a card with a third score.

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of a card with a third question.

FIG. 9 is a top view of a bonus card.

FIG. 10 is a bottom view of a bonus card.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating the starting moves of a first game played with the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating the playing of a card during a first game played with the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating player movement during a first game played with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A. Overview.

Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, FIGS. 1 through 13 illustrate a conversational board game 10, which comprises a board 20 with a plurality of spaces 22 including a start space 24 and an end space 28. A plurality of cards 30 are provided; each of the cards 30 having a score 36 on its first side 32 and a question 38 on it second side 34. Using the board 20, cards 30, and one or more player pieces 28, a variety of games may be played which are adapted to elicit meaningful conversations among the players on topics such as race, quality, and cultures.

B. Board.

As shown in FIGS. 1-2, the present invention will generally include a board 20 which is utilized for playing the various games described herein. The overall shape, design, configuration, and orientation of the board 20 may vary in different embodiments. The figures illustrate a square-shaped board 20 but it should be appreciated that round boards, triangular boards, polygonal boards, or various other shapes may be utilized. The board 20 may be foldable for easier storage and transport.

The board 20 will generally include a plurality of spaces 22 marked on its upper surface as shown in the figures. The spaces 22 may simply be printed on the board or may be demarcated in other manners, such as through etching and the like. The orientation, shape, size, configuration, and number of spaces 22 may vary in different embodiments and should not be construed as limited by the exemplary figures.

The board 20 will generally include a start space 24 and an end space 26, with a plurality of other spaces 22 in between. The start space 24 marks the starting position for the players of the game. The end space 26 marks the end-point for the players. Generally, the first player to reach the end space 26 will have won the game. The end space 26 may be marked, such as with S.C.O.R.E. as shown in the figures (representing “Starting a Conversation on Racism Equality”).

In a preferred embodiment, the spaces 22 are arranged in a spiral configuration as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The start space 24 is positioned at an outer portion of the spiral and the end space 26 is positioned at the center of the spiral. Thus, the players will each race through a spiral of spaces 22 to reach the central end space 26 and win the game.

Optionally, the board 20 may include an extra space 27 as shown in the figures. This extra space 27 may be utilized in particularly heated games where two players need a tie-breaker, or where the players collectively decide that they wish to have a longer game. The extra space 27 may be positioned at various location on the board's 20 surface, such as in an outer ring as shown in the figures. The extra space 27 may include alternate wording, such as “Challenge” as shown in FIG. 1.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the present invention will also generally include a plurality of player pieces 28. Each of the player pieces 28 is used to represent a particular player or team of players on the board 20. The type, shape, color, size, configuration, and orientation of the player pieces 28 may vary widely between different embodiments of the present invention. The exemplary player pieces 28 shown in the figures should thus not be construed as limiting on the scope of the present invention.

C. Cards.

The present invention includes a plurality of cards 30 which are utilized in playing one or more games relating to encouraging conversation on various topics, such as racism, between the players. The size, shape, number, and configuration of the cards 30 may vary in different embodiments. Preferably, standard rectangular-shaped cards 30 will be utilized such as shown in the figures.

Exemplary embodiments of cards 30 for use with the present invention are shown in FIGS. 3-10. Each of the cards 30 includes a first side 32 and a second side 34. The first side 32 of each card 30 will generally include a score 36 such as shown in FIGS. 3, 5, and 7. The scoring may vary between different embodiments of the present invention. Simple numbers may be marked on the cards as shown in the figures, or alternate language or symbols may be utilized to denote scoring.

The second side 34 of each card will include one or more questions 38 to be discussed among the group of players. Exemplary questions 38 are shown in FIGS. 4, 6, 8, 10. The questions 38 may relate to a variety of topics, such as racism, equality, or any other subject likely to elicit meaningful conversation among the players. The scope of the present invention should not be construed as being limited in any way by the exemplary questions 38 shown in the figures. Different questions 38 will be associated with different scores 36; with the scores 36 being displayed on the first side 32 of the cards 30.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the present invention may also include one or more bonus cards 30. Each of the bonus cards 30 may include additional benefits on its first side 32, such as the ability to move extra spaces as shown in FIG. 9. The second side 34 of the bonus cards 30 will also generally include a questions 38 meant to elicit conversation.

D. Operation of Preferred Embodiment.

The components of the present invention discussed herein may be utilized to play a plurality of different games. A preferred game for use with the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 11-13. This first game is meant to elicit meaningful discussion among the players about topics such as culture, race, and ethnicity.

In the first game, the board 20 is first placed in a location central to the group of players. Each of the players or teams of players will select his/her own player piece 28 which will be associated with that player or team for the remainder of the game. Each player or team will place his/her player piece 28 at the start space 24 and the game will begin.

First, the first player or team will select a card 30. The second side 34 of the card 30 will face the player, with the first side 32 (having scoring) facing away from the player so that the other players may view it. The player will then read the question 38 on the card 30 to the entire group and provide a thoughtful answer to that question 38. If the opposing players agree that the answer is sufficient, one or more of them may indicate so by uttering a word or phrase, such as “score”. A conversation may be elicited to discuss the player's answer.

After discussing the player's answer, the player will flip over the card 30 to view the first side 32. The player will move his/her player piece 28 the number of spaces indicated on the score 36 of the card 30. The next player will then select a card 30 and the process will be repeated.

The game will be won when the first player reaches the end space 26. If desired, an extra space 27 is provided to resolve particularly close games. At the end of the game, the board 20 and cards 30 may be put away for future usage. Further discussions may be had to discuss the game itself as well as the topics that were covered.

The present invention may also be utilized to play a second game which does not necessitate usage of the board 20. In such a game, a set number of cards 30 is laid out. Each player takes turns selecting a card 30 at random and answering the question 38 on the card. This encourages random questions 38 for each player; presenting players with situations they may not have been in. When all cards 30 have been played, the scores 36 on each card 30 are added up and the player with the highest score wins.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materials similar to or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods and materials are described above. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety to the extent allowed by applicable law and regulations. The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Any headings utilized within the description are for convenience only and have no legal or limiting effect. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A conversational board game, comprising: a board; a plurality of spaces on said board; a plurality of player pieces for traversing said board; and a plurality of cards, each of said cards including a question related to a topic.
 2. The conversational board game of claim 1, wherein said topic relates to race.
 3. The conversational board game of claim 1, wherein said plurality of spaces are arranged in a spiral configuration on said board.
 4. The conversational board game of claim 3, wherein said plurality of spaces includes a start space and an end space.
 5. The conversational board game of claim 4, wherein said start space is positioned at an outer portion of said plurality of spaces and wherein said end space is positioned at a center of said plurality of spaces.
 6. The conversational board game of claim 6, further comprising an extra space.
 7. The conversational board game of claim 1, wherein said topic relates to equality.
 8. The conversational board game of claim 1, wherein each of said cards includes a score on a first side thereof.
 9. The conversational board game of claim 8, wherein said question is positioned on a second side of each of said cards.
 10. A method of playing a conversational board game, comprising: providing a board having a plurality of spaces including a start space and an end space; providing a plurality of cards, wherein each of said cards includes a score and a question, wherein said question relates to a topic; providing a plurality of player pieces; selecting one of said plurality of player pieces by a player; placing each of said player pieces on said start space by said player; selecting one of said plurality of cards by said player; reading said question; answering said question; and advancing said player piece forward by a number of said spaces equal to said score on said card.
 11. The method of playing a conversational board game of claim 10, wherein said topic is comprised of race.
 12. The method of playing a conversational board game of claim 10, wherein said topic is comprised of ethnicity.
 13. The method of playing a conversational board game of claim 10, wherein said plurality of spaces are arranged in a spiral configuration on said board.
 14. The method of playing a conversational board game of claim 13, wherein said start space is at an outer portion of said spiral configuration.
 15. The method of playing a conversational board game of claim 14, wherein said end space is at a central portion of said spiral configuration. 